Strategic supply chain management

September 2013

At a glance

New research shows that high-performing supply chains can achieve sales and revenue growth while managing costs. That sounds like a tall order, but there are things you can do now to manage your supply chain as a strategic asset to boost performance and profitability. This 10Minutes highlights how the supply chain can move your business strategy forward and set you apart from the competition.

How can your supply chain deliver both growth and efficiencies? Be clear about what your business competes on and then design and manage your supply chain from the customers’ perspective. High-performing supply chains support key value propositions like breakthrough products, distinctive services, and unique customer experiences. In these companies, the supply chain isn’t just an issue to be dealt with by the supply chain department. Rather, the entire organization, starting with top management, is mobilized around the supply chain strategy.

The different stages of working together

Are you as interconnected as your supply chain? Hover over each stage to find out.

Stage 1:Functional focus

Stage 2:Internal integration

Stage 3:External integration

Stage 4:Cross-enterprise collaboration and optimization

Source: Analysis based on the supply chain benchmarking index developed by PwC’s Performance Management Group.